The tattoos run the length of Joe Ferguson’s left forearm. Then he pulls up his shirt to reveal the black ink that covers all of his bicep and shoulder.

The work is tasteful, understated.

On the upper part of the USD running back’s arm is a Buddha figure, a nod to his mother’s faith, and below it is a lotus flower in honor of Ferguson’s late grandmother. There is scripture, Matthew 6:9, next to the words, “God is my judge,” because his father is Baptist.

Ferguson lifts up his dreadlocks to reveal on his neck a small musical note. He loves music.

“It’s more of a softer note,” Ferguson explained.

Perfect. Talking softly as he sits on a metal bleacher next to USD’s practice field, an easy smile on his face, the 5-feet-10, 210-pound Ferguson seems the most unlikely of football players. He speaks of being empathetic and caring for others, especially his 10-year-old brother, who idolizes him.

A Santa Rosa native, Ferguson said he’ll use some of his student loans to buy his brother clothes for school.

The tattoos?

"I’m not down with random tats,” he said. “I have tats to express what I love. I’m a different guy.

A transfer to USD in January from American River Junior College, Ferguson has become a popular and valued teammate for the Toreros. Heading into Saturday’s fourth game of the season, the Pioneer Football League opener at home (1 p.m.) against Valparaiso, Ferguson is the team’s leading rusher with 103 yards on 30 carries. He’s also caught nine passes for 101 yards, including a spectacular 47-yard grab and run for touchdown in the Toreros’ victory over Western New Mexico.

Ferguson’s arrival has been a blessing because USD’s leading rusher from last year, Kenn James, nursed an injured ankle through all of fall camp and is only beginning to show signs of his previous form. With what the Toreros have now seen from Ferguson, they have a formidable one-two punch at tailback.

As amiable as Ferguson is off the field, he’s extremely fierce between the lines. He played middle linebacker all through high school and attacks with that mentality.

“Kenny is more elusive, a breakaway back,” USD coach Ron Caragher said. “Joe is a physical, downhill runner. He’ll drag three people a few yards. And he has good speed and burst, too. I see them both being important facets in the offense.”

In Ferguson, the Toreros also have a player who is totally unaccustomed to losing. In his two years on varsity at powerful Cardinal Newman High in Santa Rosa, Ferguson’s teams lost only three games. At American River, he lost just once in 23 games.

“It gave me a swagger, if you will,” Ferguson said with a grin. “I like to win. My JC coach said it best. He said I need to control my emotion when things don’t go my way. I can get a little fiery.”